Untitled 1993

Thomas Roma’s black and white photograph presents a scene of worship, capturing a moment of intimate spirituality within a community. You can imagine the room, the soft light filtering through the windows, the quiet hum of prayer. I think about the angle Roma chose, placing us among the congregation. How close he must have been! I imagine him feeling the weight of his camera, waiting, watching, for the right moment to capture the convergence of emotion on the woman’s face in the front of the shot. Her face is turned up toward the light, eyes closed. Other hands are raised around her. The stark contrast emphasizes the texture of the clothing and the emotional intensity of the moment. Photography has the power to isolate moments in time, allowing them to stand out for closer examination. Roma's piece makes me think about the relationship between stillness and movement. It reminds me of the works of photographers like Roy DeCarava who explored similar themes of faith, community, and the search for individual expression. This exchange of ideas across mediums and generations is inspiring. It makes you want to grab a camera, or a brush, and start creating yourself.